Interview of a New Believer

Interview of a New Believer

(Francesca)

(1) Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ.
            It's been a journey filled with immense, horrible lows (which I'm certain is close to what hell feels like) and the most amazing moments of my entire existence. There is such a difference from being a Christian because you go to church and have a label and prayed a prayer one time to being a born again of the Holy Spirit, walking in His will and having a daily relationship with Him and the Word.

(2) What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?             Giving up my sexuality. My whole life spent in church was spent with God nudging at me to give it up to Him. I wouldn't. I refused. And the more I got closer to giving it up to Him, the more I would get closer to Him. But ultimately for years I refused because I liked my identity in my sexuality and I liked loving and lusting for those of the same sex. When I saw a demon, I was suddenly scared of not following God anymore. On top of that, forgiveness was a huge part of this. I refused to forgive several people, namely my mother, who I hadn't spoken to in over a year...when I forgave her, the gates of Heaven were loosed and I could see clearly. Then God asked, "Will you give up your sexuality now?" And I said, "Yes! Take it!" and now I am fully committed to Him. I no longer just pretend.

(3) What do you think is the biggest obstacle that is keeping those who are lost from coming to Jesus?

            Obstacles like New Age lies, worldly propaganda, world religions, "being a good person theology," lust, pride, selfishness, sexuality, and hatred of authority. Mostly I think it's just human nature.

(4) What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?

            Hearing Jesus' answers to my prayers, getting His answers, The Holy Spirit, Worship, Fellowship with other real believers, Evangelizing, and experiencing/witnessing supernatural events.

(5) What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?

            At first it was combating the demonic forces, since I stupidly invited them into my body to help me commit suicide in rebellion to God. Initially I realized I had four, but I had many of them who remained "silent" for some time until God revealed to me how He wanted me to deal with them. I thought fighting them was hard at first, but after realizing what the full armor of God means and how to combat them and test spirits through the Word, then it got a lot easier. Now I am struggling to battle human nature, which I find equally hard, if not harder.

(6) What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?

            The Word Himself, The kindness from other born again believers who encourage me and pray for me, and trials and temptations. James 1 has been kind of like my theme-chapter.

(7) What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?

            Just love. No matter what their sin is, just love them and guide them to Scripture. Be ready to explain the Bible in layman's terms and pray. Prayer works, as well as speaking and declaring in the name of Jesus. Prayer shows you have faith that God will work in someone's life. Mostly just love them because love never fails.

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            By reading the answers above, it is evident that Francesca has been through a lot in her life. She has dabbled in many different religions, theories, theologies, lifestyles, spiritual powers, and drugs. Francesca was a part of my youth group in our junior high and high school years. I watched as she experimented with different things, and listened as she poured out all of her concerns and theories about them. There were times when my friends or I would walk into the church bathroom to find her doing drugs or attempting to harm herself. All of this while attending church on Sunday mornings, girls small groups on Wednesday evenings, and youth services on Sunday nights. What was church not offering her?

            Francesca never tried to convince us that she was okay. She never pretended to believe what we believed. She tried out Christianity once, but didn’t experience the heart change and gave up. Now, approximately 7 months ago, Francesca has experienced that change. I can honestly say, I’ve never seen such a transformation in someone’s life. Francesca is completely different person.

            I think that the most beneficial thing I’ve learned from talking with Francesca and through her answers to these interview questions is that it’s ultimately God who changes people. It’s not a program or an event or a relationship that changes a heart, but it’s the working of the Holy Spirit. Another thing is the importance of consistency. For Francesca, the church body was her cushion to fall back on. After she had spent herself on one of her experiments, she would always come back. She knew that the friends and relationships and leaders she had at church would never forget about her, would continue to pray for her, to encourage her, to question her, to challenge her.  She also knew that the people at church had something real- that they had experienced the Lord in their lives, even if she didn’t want to accept it for herself yet.